Relishing the range of printed works, the Festival starts with tours of the Dawson Daily News building, a book fair, an open mic at The Westminster Hotel, and a fine print exhibition at The Confluence Gallery.

Friday night’s event is at the Palace Grand Theatre, the first literary event in the much-loved space since renovations began in 2016.

You’ll hear Laurel Parry (Whitehorse) read from new work, digging into the field of memoir. Carleigh Baker (Vancouver), one of CBC’s “writers to watch” in 2017, presents unflinching short fiction shaped from her Métis/Icelandic perspective. Accomplished storyteller Ivan Coyote (Vancouver) is well-known for their firm grip on wit, shaping tales that break open your heart between moments of laughter.

Wrapping the night with tunes, musician-writers John K. Samson & Christine Fellows (Winnipeg) bring overlooked stories into the bright circles of their original works.

David A. Robertson uses story as an important part of the path to reconciliation and healing. Saturday night at the KIAC Ballroom, the Cree writer speaks about “When We Were Alone,” his picture book that educates Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth about residential school history in Canada.

Sunday night sees the Festival wrap with current Berton House writer Sandy Pool (Montreal) hosting readings and discussions with local writers.

On the visual art front, you can try many exciting printing methods over the five days. Ryan O’Malley & Cassie Normandy O’Malley (driving all the way from Texas!) will guide folks through various printmaking techniques. The end result? A community-built, wall-sized mural for a public location.

Then there’s the canine collaboration. Imagine six sled dogs harnessed up to pull an inked “roller” made of car parts across a custom-made printer bed, to print carved woodblock images. It will be a Yukon first – maybe a worldwide first – and you can be part of it, in partnership with B-Line Kennels.

Those seeking writing workshops can choose from topics including memoir, questions around cultural appropriation, or a discussion led by Christopher Healey (Dawson) about BlockChain and Publishing. Please visit dawsonprintfestival.com to register for literary workshops in advance.

The Dawson Daily News Print & Publishing Festival’s 7th edition forms a heartening and insightful handful of days. Each event is exclusive to Dawson City – if you are a fan or a creator of story, music, or printmaking, head to the Klondike!

In the spirit of inclusiveness, readings and printmaking demonstrations are free, workshops are pay-what-you-can, and evening shows are less than $20. For the full schedule and ticket prices, visit dawsonprintfestival.com

A presentation of the Klondike Institute of Art & Culture, the Writers’ Trust of Canada, the Dawson City Community Library, and Parks Canada Klondike National Historic Sites with support from the Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Fund.

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For more information please contact KIAC at 867-993-5005 or email:
dawsonprintfestival@gmail.com